Monday, June 11, 2012

VanDusen Botanical Garden

Noni
and I went to Vancouver to eat Dim Sum and then for a walk around
VanDusen Botanical Gardens. Reading some information – What is a
botanical garden? Botanical gardens, unlike parks and display
gardens, are living museums. Their plant collections are
scientifically organized, carefully documented and labelled.
Although this particular garden tradition originated in Renaissance
Italy over four hundred years ago, many cultures worldwide have
created plant collections of aesthetic and practical value. Today's
botanical gardens collect plants and support research, conservation
and public education.

At
VanDusen the mission is to enhance awareness and appreciate of the
plant kingdom and its interdependence with all living things. This
site was originally owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway and logged
at the turn of the century. In 1966 the VanDusen Botanical Gardens
Association was formed to ensure the site was not developed for
housing the land was purchased from the railway. Work began on the
Garden in 1971 and was open to the public in August of 1975.

So
June 2012 - Noni and I walk around the 55 acre (22 hectare) looking
at over 7,500 kinds of plants. It was more like a hobble as we are
still recovering from our excursion up the Chief Saturday. I parked
the car in the shade under a huge tree – opened the windows –
gave Dalhouise a cup of ice water. I was hoping he could walk around
with us but no dogs allowed.

I
enjoyed my self – and would return here again in a different season
to see the changes. I was following the sound of quacking when two
little coyotes pups ran across my path. I tried to take a picture but
was not fast enough. Walking through the garden – this is a good
way to relieve some of the stress I am still feeling from last week,
that was harder than most.

A
full stomach after eating at our favorite restaurant in Vancouver -
a walk in the Park with the sun shinning what a good way to end a
three day weekend. And this was a full weekend with Noni and I hiking
the Chief – Noni going to a bridal shower – Church and then
Today's excursion. Must not forget that it was also Dalhouise
birthday on Sunday.

When
we came home my body was feeling tired and sore. I thought I was
recovering well from the Chief hike but now my body is in pain and
totally exhausted. I go to bed and have a deep sleep- nap for a couple
of hours. It was so hard to get up but I did not want to sleep all
night from 3 o’clock on. Feeling it now – tomorrow is delivery
day and it is quite large and then the next day we have over 100
people coming. What have I done?